Control knob construction and the like



"15,1970 E. E. MA|Qu|s "3,528,315

I powfnoL KNOB cous'rnuc'uou AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 24, 1969 2sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR EDGAR E. MARQUIS jiLflS ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1970v I E. E. MARQUIS 3,

bomndpkuos CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIKE 2 ShetS-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1969INVENTOR EDGAR EMARQUIS ms ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,528,315CONTROL KNOB CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIKE Edgar E. Marquis, Newtown, Conu.,assignor to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Feb. 24, 1969, Ser. N3. 801,648

Int. Cl. Gb U1 US. Cl. 74553 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thisinvention relates to an improved control knob construction for a timermeans or the like as well as to an improved control device utilizingsuch a control knob construction.

It is well known that a control device can be selectively set for acycle of operation thereof by setting a control knob of the controldevice in a preselected position thereof. Thereafter, the control devicecan have its selected cycle of operation initiated by the subsequentactuation of a push button part of the control knob.

Accordingly, it is one of the features of this invention to provide animproved control knob construction of the above described type whereinthe control knob construction is formed from a relatively few parts in asimple and economical manner to accomplish the above function or thelike.

In particular, the disclosed embodiment of the control knob constructionof this invention comprises an outer dial member having means for beinginterconnected to a control shaft or the like of a control device tomove the control shaft in unison therewith, the outer dial member havingan opening means passing therethrough and telescopically receiving apush button member that is snap fitted to the outer dial member whilebeing axially movable relative thereto.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedcontrol knob construction having one or more of the novel features setforth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved controldevice having one or more of the novel features set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the improved control device of this invention.

\FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with thecontrol knob construction of this invention being in cross section andthe control device being in elevation.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates the control knobconstruction in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the control knob constructionfor the control device of FIG. 1.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as providing a control knob 3,528,315 Patented Sept.15., 1970 construction for a timer operated control device, it is to beunderstood that the various features of this invention to be utilizedsingly or in any combination thereof to provide a control knobconstruction for other types of control devices as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved control device of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 andcomprises a housing means 11 containing a conventional wind-up timermeans (not shown) that is operatively interconnected to a control shaft12 in a manner well known in the art so that when the control shaft 12is rotated in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1 from the OE positionillustrated in FIG. 1 to a desired time period setting thereof in amanner hereinafter described, the timer motor is wound by such clockwisemovement of the control shaft 12 and will rotate the control shaft 12back in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 to the off positionthereof when an actuating plunger 13 of the control device 10 is movedto the right in FIG. 2 to initiate the starting action of the timermotor.

The actuating member 13 of the control device 10 has a free end 14adapted to operate an electrical switch means 15 carried on the rearside 16 of the control device 10 and comprising a fixed contact 17 and amovable contact 18 being carried on a spring blade 19 that has a normalbias that tends to maintain the contact 18 out of contact with the fixedcontact 17. However, when the actuator 13 is moved to the right in themanner illustrated in FIG. 3, the right hand end 14 of the actuator 13moves the movable contact 18 into electrical contact with the fixedcontact 17 and will maintain the'same in electrical contact with eachother during the entire time that the timer motor of the control device10 is operating so that when the control shaft 12 returns to the 01fposition illustrated in FIG. 1, suitable mechanism of the control device10 returns the actuator 13 back to the left as illustrated in FIG. 2 topermit the switch 15 to open as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The control shaft 12 and actuating member -13 of the control device 10are operated by a control knob construction 20 of this invention in amanner now to be described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the control knob construction 20 ofthis invention only comprises three parts that can be assembled togetherin a simple and economical manner. In particular, the control knobconstruction 20 comprises an outer dial member 21, a compression spring22 and a push button member 23, the outer dial member 21 and push buttonmember 23 being formed of any suitable material, such as plastic or thelike.

The outer dial member 21 has an end plate 24 integrally interconnectedon the side 25 thereof to a suitably shaped knob-like part 26 disposedconcentrically therewith and having a smaller diameter so that asuitable dial indicating ring 27 can be disposed about the knoblike part26 and be carried against the side 25 of the disc part 24. An openingmeans 28 passes centrally through the outer dial member 21 and defines aweb means 29 spanning the opening 28, the web means 29 having a centralportion 30 integrally interconnected to the outer dial member 21 by aplurality of radially disposed fins 31 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed.

The central portion 30 of the web means 29 of the outer dial member 21has an aperture or slot 32 passing therethrough of a cross-sectionalconfiguration that complements the cross-sectional configuration of theleft hand end 33 of the control shaft 12 of the control device so thatthe left-hand end 33 of the control shaft 12 can be telescopicallyreceived in the aperture 32 to interconnect the outer dial member 21 tothe control shaft 12 in a splining relation so that rotational movementof the outer dial member 21 will cause the control shaft 12 to rotate inunison therewith and vice versa.

The rear face 34 of the disc portion 24 of the outer dial member 21 hasan annular recess 35 formed therein concentrically about the openingmeans 28, the recess defining an angled ridge 36 for a purposehereinafter described.

The push button member 23 has a closed left-hand end 37 with theright-hand end 38 being interrupted by an opening 39 that passescentrally into the push button member 23 and is interconnected to aplurality of slots 40 that are formed radially through the right-handend 38 of the push button member 23 to register with the fins 31 of theweb means 29 of the outer dial member 21. The right-hand end 38 of thepush button member 23 has outwardly directed tongue means 41 that defineangled ridge means 42 that cooperate with the annular recess 35 of theouter dial member 21 in a manner now to be described.

When it is desired to assemble the parts 21, 22 and 23 of the knobconstruction 20 together, the compression spring 22 is disposed eitherin the left-hand end of the opening means 28 of the outer dial member 21to have its right-hand end 43 disposed against the left-hand end surface44 of the web means 29 of the outer dial member 21 or is disposed in theright-hand end of the opening 39 of the push button member 23 to haveits left-hand end 45 disposed against the inside surface means 46 of theclosed end 37 of the push button member 23.

Thereafter, the push button member 23 and outer dial member 21 aredisposed in telescopic relation so that when the push button member 23has its right-hand end 38 received in the left-hand end of the opening28 of the outer dial member 21 with the compression spring 22therebetween and with the slots 40 of the push button member 23 beingaligned with the fins 31 of the outer dial member 21, the push buttonmember 23 and outer dial member 21 are further telescoped together sothat the tongue means 41 of the push button member 23 are cammedradially inwardly by the internal peripheral surface 47 of the outerdial member 21 that is defined by the opening means 28 until the tonguemeans 41 pass beyond the right-hand end thereof and snap outwardly overthe end surface 34 of the disc part 24 of the outer dial member 21 tosnap fit the push button member 23 to the outer dial member 21. Sincethe compression spring 22 is placed under compression before the tonguemeans 41 clear the end surface 34 of the outer dial member 21, thecompression spring 22 tends to normally maintain the push button member23 in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 relative to the outer dialmember 21 whereby the angled ridge means 32 of the tongue means 41 ofthe push button member 23 are received in the annular recess 35 of theouter dial member 21 against the angled surface 36 thereof to limitmovement of the push button member 23 to the left in FIG. 2 relative tothe outer dial member 21.

Therefore, it can be seen that the control knob construction 20 of thisinvention can be assembled together in a simple and economical snap fitrelation while permitting the push button member 23 to be axiallymovable relative to the outer dial member 21 thereof.

The control device 10 includes a plate-like member 48 that has a yokeportion 49 receiving the control shaft 12 and another portion 50 havingan opening 51 passing therethrough and telescopically receiving asupport post 52 of the housing means 11. In this manner, the plate-likemember 48 has a portion 53 thereof engaging against the left-hand end 54of the actuator -13 while the yoke-like portion 49 is engageable againstan abutment means 55 of the control shaft 12 in the manner illustratedin FIG.

4 2, the right-hand end 38 of the push button member 23 also engagingagainst the plate-like member 48 in the off position of the centraldevice 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The operation of the control knob construction 20 of this invention asutilized with the control device 10 will now be described.

With the control knob construction 20 disposed in the off positionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the actuator 13 andpush button member 23 are respectively disposed in their extremeleft-hand positions by the compression spring 22 of the control knobconstruction 20 and a compression spring 56 of the control device 10operating against an abutment means 57 of the actuator 13 whereby theelectrical switch means 15 is disposed in an open position thereof.

The operator grasps the knob part 26 of the control knob construction 20and rotates the same in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1 to position adesired time on the dial member 27 adjacent on indicating mark '58carried on a control panel member 59 (FIG. 1), such selected time periodbeing the time period that it is desired for the switch means 15 to bemaintained in a closed position such as for actuating a householdblender, mixer, or the like.

With the control knob construction 20 now set in a desired time positionthereof, it can be seen that the rota tion of the control knobconstruction 20 causes the control shaft 12 to rotate in unisontherewith to wind up the timer motor of the control device 10 but thatthe timer motor can not operate until the actuator 13 is moved from theposition of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3.

Thereafter, in order to start the now set time cycle of the controldevice 10, the operator pushes inwardly on the push button member 23 ofthe control knob construction 20 to move the same from the positionillustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 inopposition to the force of the compression spring 22 whereby suchrightward movement of the push button member 23 causes the plate-likemember 48 to move to the right and move the actuator 13 to the right inopposition to the force of the compression spring 56 thereof to closethe switch means 15. Such movement of the actuator 13 to the rightoperates suitable mechanism in the control device 10 that will hold theactuator 13 in its rightward position as illustrated in FIG. 3 and startthe operation of the timer motor whereby the timer motor will,thereafter, drive the control shaft 12 back in a counterclockwisedirection from the selected time setting thereof back to the offposition illustrated in FIG. 1 at a timed rate as previously selectedand when the control shaft 12 reaches the off position illustrated inFIG. 1, such mechanism will release the actuator 13 to permit the sameto move back to the left by the force of the compression spring 56 tothereby open the electrical switch 15.

Thus, it can be seen that the control device 10 and control knobconstruction 20 of this invention can be utilized for operating ablender, mixer, or the like for a predetermined time period.

Accordingly, it can be seen that not only does this invention provide animproved control knob construction, but also this invention provides animproved control device or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A control knob construction comprising an outer member having meansfor interconnecting said outer memher to a control shaft or the like formoving said shaft in unison therewith, said outer member having anopening means passing therethrough, and a push button member disposed insaid opening means of said outer member and being movable relativethereto, said push button member and said outer member being snap-fittedtogether.

2. A control knob Construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidouter member has an integral web means spanning said opening meansthereof, said push button member having recess means therein receivingsaid web means and permitting movement of said push button memberrelative to said outer member.

3. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 2 "wherein said webmeans has slot means therein for receiving said control shaft to definesaid means for interconnecting said outer member to said control shaft.

4. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein said webmeans comprises a central portion interconnected to said outer member bya plurality of radially disposed fins, said recess means of said pushbutton member comprising a central opening receiving said centralportion of said web means and a plurality of slots respectivelyreceiving said fins.

5. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pushbutton member is axially movable relative to said outer member.

6. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein a springis disposed between said outer member and said push button member totend to maintain said push button member in one axial position relativeto said outer member.

7. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidouter member has an end surface interrupted by said opening means, saidpush button member having tongue means for camming through said openingmeans and snapping outwardly when disposed beyond said end surface toprovide means for abutting against said end surface to limit movement ofsaid push button member relative to said outer member in one direction.

8. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 7 wherein said endsurface, of said outer member has a recess therein for receiving saidtongue means of said push button member when said tongue means abutsagainst said end surface.

9. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidrecess in said end surface of said outer member is annular and isconcentrically disposed about said opening means.

10. A control knob construction as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidrecess in said end surface defines an angled ridge, said tongue meanshaving an angled ridge that mates with said angled ridge of said endsurface when said tongue means is received in said recess.

11. In a control device having a control shaft and an actuator, theimprovement comprising a control knob construction having an outermember provided with means for interconnecting said outer member to saidcontrol shaft for moving said shaft in unison therewith, said outermember having an opening means passing therethrough, and a push buttonmember disposed in said opening means of said outer member and beingmovable relative thereto to control said actuator, said push buttonmember and said outer member being snap-fitted together.

12. In a control device as set forth in claim 11, the furtherimprovement wherein said outer member has an integral web means spanningsaid opening means thereof, said push button member having recess meanstherein receiving said web means and permitting movement of said pushbutton member relative to said outer member.

13. In a control device as set forth in claim 12, the furtherimprovement wherein said web means as slot means therin for receivingsaid control shaft to define saidmeans for interconnecting said outermember to said control shaft.

14. In a control device as set forth in claim 12, the furtherimprovement wherein said web means comprises a central portioninterconnected to said outer member by a plurality of radially disposedfins, said recess means of said push button member comprising a centralopening receiving said central portion of said web means and plurailtyof slots respectively receiving said fins.

15. In a control device as set forth in claim 11, the furtherimprovement wherein said push button member is axially movable relativeto said outer member.

16. In a control device as set forth in claim 15, the furtherimprovement wherein a spring is disposed between said outer member andsaid push button member in one axial position relative to said outermember.

17. In a control device as set forth in claim 11, the furtherimprovement wherein said outer member has an end surface interrupted bysaid opening means, said push button member having tongue means forcamming through said opening means and snapping outwardly when disposedbeyond said end surface to provide means for abutting against said endsurface to limit movement of push button member relative to said outermember in one direction.

18. In a control device as set forth in claim 17, the furtherimprovement wherein said end surface of said outer member has a recesstherein for receiving said tongue means of said push buton member whensaid tongue means abuts against said end surface.

19. In a control device as set forth in claim 18, the furtherimprovement wherein said recess in said end surface of said outer memberis annular and is concentrically disposed about said opening means.

20. In a control device as set forth in claim 18, the furtherimprovement wherein said recess in said end surface defines an angledridge, said tongue means having an angled ridge that mates with saidangled ridge of said end surface when said tongue means is received insaid recess.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1939 Gits et a1. 16l2l 8/1959Melloy 74-553 XR U.S. Cl. X.R. 200-38

